VEX IQ Worlds

We have had such a fantastic robotics season this year.  Not only did we have all four of our school's robots make it to the state championship, but two of them also made it to Worlds.  The Worlds championship is a really big deal; this year's competition holds the Guinness record for the largest robotics competition ever held.  As the name of the tournament suggests, it attracts competitors from all parts of the globe.  These kids spent five days in Louisville, Kentucky competing with kids from countries like China, New Zealand, Egypt, and Chile. 

There were 400 teams competing in the elementary championship.  These teams were split into five divisions of 80 teams each with the top alliance from each division advancing to the championship.  Both of the Wacona teams were in the Cassini division, and both teams did very well.  Olivia was driving on robot A.  It finished tenth in qualifying and advanced to the division semi-finals where it ended up in eighth place. 

After the closing ceremony, all of the kids went to Kentucky Kingdom amusement park for the closing celebration.  Riding roller coasters is definitely our idea of a celebration!

Brian was the lucky parent who got to accompany Olivia to the competition, but Owen and I were able to keep up with it via the the live stream.  I watched every single round that both teams played as well as the closing ceremonies. 

I cannot even begin to describe what an awesome opportunity this was for Olivia and her teammates.  Robotics is such a wonderful sport.  In addition to teaching problem solving, coding, and engineering it also teaches the kids how to work together as a team and with kids whom they've just met.